Mark and Jan Tan* got married at 28, and wanted to start a family soon after. They tried for 8 years but were unable to conceive naturally. Jan finally gave birth to a pair of twin boys almost ten years later, through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
By then, the Tans were 38 years old.
During their first few years of trying unsuccessfully for a child, the Tans kept their worries to themselves, as they were unaware of the avenues to seek help, and also felt embarrassed to admit to others that they were unable to conceive.
It was also not easy as they had to face the same barrage of questions, and advice, given by well-meaning friends and relatives during festive seasons and family gatherings while dealing with the negative emotions from their inability to conceive.
This placed unnecessary stress on their marriage. Looking back, the Tans wished they had sought help earlier.
Baby Woes and Blues
In a recent report, Singapore’s total fertility rate had dropped to 1.16 in 2017, making it the lowest figure since 1.15 in 2010 and the second-lowest ever recorded.
While many Singaporeans do want to get married and have children, many other factors have contributed to Singaporeans settling down later, or not having children as planned.
Medically, it is an acknowledged fact that a woman’s chances of conceiving decreases sharply after the age of 35. There are also women who are younger and wish to conceive but face fertility issues as Jan did.
Even today, fertility issues are still what many refuse to discuss openly or share on.
People may think there is a stigma attached to having such issues. Couples may want to speak with experts but do not know who to look for, or long to speak with others who had faced and overcame similar issues but have yet to link up with any of them.
But all that can change, and husbands and wives don’t have to suffer in silence.
Achieve Your Dream Of Having Healthy Babies
In conjunction with their 30th anniversary, Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre (MEFC) will be holding a public forum titled ‘When Pregnancy Seems Impossible’ at Raffles Town Club, on 30 June 2018.
Guests can look forward to not only getting useful information from talks but also be inspired by the experiences of parents who have been through the whole process.
Topic: Older mums and pregnancy – How can you succeed?
Dr Kelly Loi will touch on the risks for older women during pregnancy and the steps that can be taken to improve the health of both mother and baby.
Topic: When your womb makes pregnancy difficult
Dr Ann Tan will be sharing how the condition of a woman’s womb can make pregnancy difficult. She will explain the issues and also suggest what may be done to overcome them.
One highlight of the event is the unique ‘Meet-The-Fertility-Team’ segment. Over 15 minutes, guests have the opportunity to chat directly with the fertility team.
They can choose to speak candidly with any member of the fertility team; Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) specialists, embryologists, psychologists and/ or nurses. Through this interaction, guests will gain greater clarity about their issues/ insecurities.
Whether you are a couple simply planning for a family or potentially having fertility issues, mark your calendars and discover more at this forum!
Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre (MEFC)’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations
Date: 30 June 2018, Saturday
Time: 12pm – 5pm (Public Forum)
Venue: Raffles Town Club, 1 Plymouth Ave, Singapore 297753
Admission: Free
Guest of Honour: Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources & Ministry of Health
Event Highlights:
- Presentations by MEFC doctors
- Meet-the-Fertility-Team from Mount Elizabeth Hospitals
- Sharing by mothers who overcame their fertility issues
- Two staycation giveaways (worth over $1000) to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and Montigo Resorts, Batam
- Attractive goodie bags worth more than $100 (Limited to first 100 signups)
As this is a FREE event with limited seats available, register early to avoid disappointment.
*names have been changed
* * * * *
Like what you see here? Get parenting tips and stories straight to your inbox! Join our mailing list here.
Want to be heard 👂 and seen 👀 by over 100,000 parents in Singapore? We can help! Leave your contact here and we’ll be in touch.
Leave a Comment: